A podcast I listened to recently mentioned that what is new in libraries is not new FOR libraries--meaning that "new ideas" used in the library world have been--to borrow a phrase--begged, borrowed, or stolen from other industries (and please don't mistake me for condemning libraries for that). Example: the bar code is used by libraries everywhere to scan items for circulation purposes (in layman's terms: to check items in and out), but the bar code was invented for the food industry. There is a lot of creativity in the profession, but we unfortunately don't have time or the budget to fund serious inventing endeavors. Listening to the podcast made me wonder what truly new innovations librarians would be able to come up with if we were given the time and the money to do it.
A colleague of mine sent me links to a few videos that put me in mind of library innovation. Each video is a funny and creative way the Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University is working to promote their services.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ArIj236UHs
http://www.youtube.com/user/hbllproduction#p/u/2/GIUiH3PNOAE
http://www.youtube.com/user/hbllproduction#p/u/5/llD1AY5fsjc
I bet they'll put a smile on your face. They certainly put a smile on mine.
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